Numbering apparatus.



PATENTED SEPT. 1-7, 1907.

0. G. BARTUSGH. NUMBBRING APPARATUS.

APPLIOAIION FILED JAN. 25, 1908.

' ATTORNEYS 1n: "cums PETERS co., wasulmrron, n, c

UNITED STATES PATENT onnion.

OSWALD GUSTAV BARTUSC H, OF NEW YORK, N Y.

N UMBERIN G APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 17, 1907.

Application filed January 25,1906. Serial No. 297,793-

- Kings and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Numbering Apparatus, of which the follow r the shaft is not subjected to undue torsional strain when ing is a full, clear, and exact description.

The object of the invention is to provide a new and improved numbering apparatus, more especially de-;

signed for use on printing presses and arranged with one or more numbering devices on the same rock-shaft for.

printing one or more sets of numbers simultaneously, the said numbering devices and the oscillating device for the rock-shaft being shiftable on the latter independent one of the other, to allow of grouping the numbering devices as desired, the casings of the numbering devices and that of the oscillating device being of the same width to permit of locking the said devices simultaneously in place in a chase or the like.

The invention consists of novel featuresand parts and combinations of the same which will be more fully described hereinafter and then pointed out in the Claims.

A practical embodiment of the invention is represented in the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure l is a plan view of the improvement; Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross section of the oscillating device for the rock-shaft, the section being on the line 2-2 of Fig. 3; Fig. 3 is a sectional side elevation of the same, on

'the line 3-3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is an end view of the same, showing the rock-shaft in section; Fig. 5 is an end elevation of a modified form of oscillating device for the rock-shaft, the latter being shown in section; Fig. 6 is a like view of the same in a different position; Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the same; Fig. 8 is an end elevation of one of the numbering device's, the rockshaft being shown in section; and Fig. 9 is a transverse section of the same.

As illustrated in Fig. 1, a plurality of numbering devices A are shiftably mounted on a rock-shaft B and are actuated by the latter; and on the said rock-shaft B is also shiftably mounted an oscillating deviceO controlled by the movable part of the printing press for periodically rocking the rock-shaft B with a view to turn the numbering wheels of the several numbering devices A for consecutive numbering. By having the numbering devices A shiftable independent one of the other and independent of the oscillating device 0, it

is evident that the said numbering devices can be grouped in any desired manner along the rock-shaft B, according to the work on hand. By having the oscil lating device '0 shiftable along the rock-shaft B, it can be set to any desired position most convenient for being actuated by the movable part of the printing press.

If desirable, two or more such oscillating devices may be employed on the same rock-shaft B, especially if a large number of numbering devices A are 'on the same rock-shaft, as it then requires considerable power to oscillate the rock-shaft. If two oscillating devices C are held on the rock-shaft B, say at the ends thereof, then turned by the said oscillating devices actuated simultaneously by movable members of the printing press.

The numbering devices A may be of any approved construction, preferably, however, such as shown and described in the Letters Patent of the United States No. 708,295, granted to the September 2, 1902, so that further detailed description of the same is not deemed necessary, it being understood that each numbering device A is provided with a casing A a pawl frame A oscillated from the rock-shaft B and carrying pawls A engaging ratchet-wheels A on the numbering wheels A of the numbering device A, return movement of the numbering wheels being prevented by the usual spring dogs A (see Fig. 8). Themeans for actuating the pawl frame A from the shaft B is by means of pins or screws carried by the pawl frame and engaging grooves in the shaft. In Fig. 9 wherein one of the pins or screws is shown, the said pin or screw a passes through a slot 0 in the sleeve c on the shaft B and into the groove b of said shaft. The casings A of the several numbering devices A, and the casing G of the oscillating device 0 are of the same width, to permit of conveniently locking the said devices in position in a chase D, for instance, by the use of the locking furniture E of the chase. Thus, after the several devices A and C have been adjusted along the rock-shaft B to the desired position, as before explained, then the several devices are securely locked in place by the locking furniture E of the chase, to prevent the said devices from accidentally shifting on the rock-shaft B.

The oscillating device G shown in detail in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, is provided with a plunger F formed of two parts F and F fastened together at their upper outer ends by screws F and the said parts F and F are mounted to reciprocate in guideways C and 0 formed in the casing C and separated from each other by a transverse partition 0. Springs G set in the bottom of the casing C press the parts F and F of the plunger F, to normally hold the latter in an uppermost position, the said springs G being compressed on the plunger F being pressed by the movable part of the printing press.

The rock-shaft B extends through the casings A and G in the directionnf the length thereof, and the rockshal't is provided with a longitudinally-extending keyway engaged by a key H formed on a crank arm H arranged within the casing G and having its free end H extending into a recess F formed in the plunger part F. Now, when the plunger F is pressed downward,

then a swinging motion is given to the crank arm H, to rock the rock-shaft B in one direction; and when the plunger F returns to its uppermost position by the action of the springs G, then the rock-shaft B is rocked back to its former position. During the return movement of the plunger F, the pawls A on the pawl frame A turn the corresponding ratchet-wheels A of the several numbering devices A, to turn the numbering wheels A in the usual manner.

By reference to Figs. 2 and 3, it will be seen that the upward movement of the plunger F is limited by the lower portion of the part F abutting against the hub of the crank arm H, the said hub having a bearing in the partition 0 as plainly shown in Fig. 3, to insure true rocking of the rockshaft B without undue strain, to hold the parts in position when the shaft is taken out.

When a large number of numbering devices A are arranged on the same rock-shaft B, then it is desirable that the plunger F for oscillating the rock-shaft B be provided with two connections with the rock-shaft, and for this purpose a second crank arm I having a key I engaging the keyway of the rock-shaft B is used, and this crank arm Lis located outside of the casing G adjacent to one end thereof, as plainly indicated in Figs. 3 and 4. The crank arm I has its free end forked and in engagement with a pin J secured to the part F of the plunger F and projecting through an elongated slot C formed in the corresponding end of the casing C. Now,

' when the plunger F is pressed by the movable part of the printing press, then both crank arms H and I are simultaneously actuated to rock the rock-shaft B.

In case the rock-shaft B carries but one, or perhaps two numbering devices A, then a simpler oscillating device, such as shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7 maybe employed, and this oscillating device consists of a casing G through which extends the rock-shaft B, on which is keyed a crank arm K, provided at its free end with a friction roller K adapted to be engaged by the movable part of the printing press, as plainly indicated in Fig. 6. Springs L connected at one end with the casing O and at the other end with the crank arm K, serve to normally hold the latter in an uppermost position slightly to one side of a perpendicular line, as plainly shown in Fig. 5, so that when the movable part of the printing press moves in engagement with the friction roller K, then a downward swinging motion is given to the crank arm K, to rock the rock-shaft B, as shown in Fig. 6; and when the movable part moves away from the friction roller K, then the crank arm K is returned to its uppermost position by the action of the springs L. The upward swinging motion of the crank arm K is limited by a shoulder 0 formed on the casing 0 and a similar shoulder O on the casing G limits the downward swinging motion of the crank arm.

In the Letters Patent of the United States above referred to, the pawl frame A is actuated from the rockshaft B by devices within the casing A, but it is desirable to make an additional connection between the rock-shaft B and the pawl frame A and for this purpose a crank arm N is keyed on the rock-shaft B outside of the casing A (see Fig. 8), and this crank arm N is connected by a pin N with the pawl frame A the pin N. extending through a recess A formed in one end of the casing A, as plainly indicated in Fig. 8. By the arrangement described a firm and positive swinging motion is given to the pawl frame A by the double connection mentioned, to insure proper working of the numbering device, even if one of the connections referred to should get out of order.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. A numbering apparatus for printing presses, com prising a rockshaft, a plurality of numbering devices shiftable on the said rock-shaft and actuated from the latter, and an oscillating device shiftable on the said r0ckshaft independent of the said numbering devices and comprising a casing and a movable member adapted to be actuated by a movable part of the printing press for rocking the said shaft.

2. A numbering apparatus for printing presses, comprising a rock-shaft, a plurality of numbering devices shift able 0n the said rock-shaft and actuated from the -latter, and an oscillating device shiftable on the said rock-shaft independent of the said numbering devices and adapted to be actuated by a movable part of the printing press for rocking the said shaft, the said oscillating device being spring-pressed to return it and the said shaft to normal position.

3. A numbering apparatus for printing presses, comprising a rock-shaft, a plurality of numbering devices shiftable on the said rock-shaft and actuated from the latter, and an oscillating device shiftable on the said rock-shaft independent of the said numbering devices and adapted to be actuated by a movable part of the printing press for .rocking the said shaft, the .said oscillating device being spring-pressed to return it and the said shaft to normal position, the shaft during the return movement actuating the numbering wheels of the said numbering devices.

4. In a numbering apparatus for printing presses, the combination with a chase and a rock-shaft, of a plurality of numbering devices shiftable on the said rock-shaft and actuated from the latter, an oscillating device shiftable on the said rock-shaft independent of the said numbering devices and adapted to be actuated by a movable part of the printing press for rocking the said shaft, the casings of the numbering devices and that of the said oscillating device being of the same width, and means for locking the said casings simultaneously in place in the chase to me vent them from accidentally moving on the rock-shaft.

5. In a numbering apparatus for printing presses, the combination with a chase, ,the locking furniture thereof and a rock shaft, of a plurality of numbering devices shiftable on the said rock-shaft and actuated from the latter, and an oscillating device shiftable on the said rock-shaft independent of the said numbering devices and adapted to be actuated by a movable part of the printing press for rocking the said shaft, the casings of the numbering de vices and that of the said oscillating device being of thesame width, whereby the said casings can be simultaneously locked in place in the chase by the furniture thereof to. prevent them from accidentally moving on the rock shaft.

6. A numbering apparatus for printing presses, comprising a casing, a rock shaft, numbering wheels having ratchet wheels, a pawl frame having pawls for engagement with the ratchet wheels, means Within the casing for operating the pawl frame, and a crank arm on the rock shaft outside of the casing and having its end connected with the pawl frame.

7 A numbering apparatus for printing presses having a rock-shaft, numbering devices on the said rock-shaft and actuated by the latter, and an oscillating device for the said rock-shaft, comprising a casing on the rock-shaft, a plunger reciprocating therein and through which the rockshaft extends, a crank arm secured on the said rock-shaft within the said casing and engaging a recess in the said plunger, and springs held in the casing and pressing the said plunger.

8. A numbering apparatus for printing presses having a rock-shaft, numbering devices on the said rock-shaft and actuated by the latter, and an oscillating device for the said rock-shaft, comprising a casing on the rock-shaft, a plunger through which the rock shaft extends, said plunger being made in parts fastened together at their upper ends and reciprocating in spaced compartments in the said casing, anda crank arm secured on the said rock-shaft and engaging a recess in one of the said plunger parts.

9. A numbering apparatus for printing presses havinga rock-shaft, numbering devices on the said r0ck-shaft and actuated by the latter, and an oscillating device for the said rock-shaft, comprising a casing on the r'0ck-shaft, a plunger through which the rock-shaft extends, said plunger being made in parts fastened together at their upper ends and reciprocating in spaced compartments in the said casing, and a crank arm secured on the said rock-shaft and engaging a recess in one of the said plunger parts, the said crank arm being within the said casing.

10. A numbering apparatus for printing presses having a rock-shaft, numbering devices on the said rock-shaft and actuated by the latter, an oscillating device for the said r0ck-shaft, comprising a casing, a plunger reciprocating therein, a crank arm secured on the said rock-shaft within the said casing and engaging a recess in the said plunger and springs held in the casing and pressing the said plunger, and a second crank arm secured on the said rockshaft outside of the said casing and connected with the said plunger.

11. A numbering apparatus for printing presses having a rock-shaft, numbering devices on the said rock-shaft and actuated by the latter, an oscillating device for the said rock-shaft, comprising a casing, a plunger reciprocating therein, a crank arm secured on the said rock-shaft within the said casing and engaging a recess in the said plunger and springs held in the casing and pressing the said plunger, a second crank arm secured on the said rockshaft outside of the said casing, and a pin on the said plunger and engaged by the free end of thesaid second crank arm, the said pin extending through an elongated slot in one end of the said casing.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

OSWALD GUSTAV BARTUSCI-I.

Witnesses:

Tune. G. Hos'rmn, EVERARD 13. MARSHALL. 

